waiting

My headaches have been at a minimum, I haven’t even been that hungry, and I’ve been thinking of others for a change. Even better? I’ve managed to keep my complaining, my temper, and my sarcasm in check.

Until of course I came home from work and saw this:

This photo isn’t even the half of it.

But then it got worse. Because as I donned my classy yellow rubber gloves to clean up everything from an inch of crumbs on the floor to a variety of knives caked with peanut butter (not sure why someone can’t understand that peanut butter isn’t going to magically melt away in the dishwasher), I had to listen to this:

Ali: “Before you get mad, let me explain.”

Me: “There’s really no need. I just want to extend my thanks for leaving the kitchen a massive disaster area. I appreciate it.”

Ali: “Why are you mad at me? I thought I was doing you a favor.”

Me: “How on earth is leaving the kitchen that I thoroughly cleaned up and down this morning at 4 AM doing me a favor?”

Ali: “I did it so that you’d have something to do! While you waited for the sun to set.”

Me: “So let me recap: you left me the dishes as a favor. So that I’d have something to keep me busy after not just fasting all day but also getting Maya ready for school, cleaning the kitchen, going to work, and then rushing home to give Maya a bath and do some homework with her.”

Ali: “Yes.”

Initially I was just beside myself with irritation. But then I realized that if Ali hadn’t been so “considerate” I wouldn’t have anything to post today. So I guess I really should be thanking him?

Wow, was he really serious?
Also, the proper thing to do with a peanut butter-y knife after using is to lick it clean. It baffles me, the ability to leave such scrumptious bits of food where they will need to be scrubbed off…

I must admit – I like Ali’s thinking. Not only has he put you first for a change, he also gave you a thought while you were away – that must mean something? Beside, as you say, he is the reason why you wrote – which is another distraction from this challenging month.

Either Ali actually thought of you and wanted you to be occupied as you waited (in which case, it was really sweet-yet-misdirected of him) or he came up with that line in the few seconds it took to put on your yellow gloves (in which case he’s a smart, smart man). Either way, you’re a lucky woman, Ameena!! And an extremely patient one; I would have exploded first, fumed, and then picked up the gloves to clean 🙂

That was so thoughtful! I mean who doesn’t want to read, or watch a little TV, or call a friend, or just put her feet up at the end of a long day while she waits for the sun to set. Every girl wants to come home and clean the kitchen.

I’m sorry but I hate dirty kitchens so I’m with you on this one. And I have friends who fast during Ramadan, it is not nice having to do tidying up and do something a little physical just before breaking roza! But husbands work in strange ways…perhaps it did take your mind off the hunger?

Haha.. sorry but I know how you feel. It always irks me when I see dirty dishes in the sink piling up. I usually do the dishes then I make my husband put them away. That way he will think twice before he makes a mess in the sink. Maybe next time make Ali put the clean dishes away. That will give him something to do too. Right?

Wow!!! Ali, I think I would have lost it on him then “I was doing you a favor”. What the hell!!! Thumbs up on keeping your temper in check..I would have either wanted to slap him at that point or just become defeated and give him the silent treatment. LOL On that note here is a Giant hug!! XX

I saw the dishes at the sink and cringed and reminded me of so many irritations that occur there. Recently, my husband left a uneaten yogurt cup with the spoon in it, just one step from the trash can and two steps from the sink. For. no. reason. No explanation. Oh I understand, my dear friend.

I’m just amazed you could fast in this hot and humid day we’ve been having for this week @_@ I could go without eating but not drinking water is something that’s very challenging! Hang in there! I for one can’t stand dirty dishes in the sink either but can’t say much to my hubby since he’s mostly the one doing the cooking during weekdays as I need to go to bed very early to get up very early morning the next day.

Haha, silver lining! Also, ditto to the peanut butter thing. I used to have a (disgustingly sloppy) roommate who NEVER rinsed the pb off her knives and would leave them in the sink for me. I’m not sure if she thought that I ENJOYED scrubbing the crusty pb off of them for her every day, but if she did she was sorely mistaken. (Clearly, I’m not holding a grudge about it at all)

hahahaha wow, how nice of him!
We had this problem at work, apparently because I’m the only girl, it’s assumed that I should wash everyone’s dishes. I think we both know that’s not happening. So instead I took a picture of the boss’s dog licking out a bowl, and made a sign saying he was our new dishwasher, and anything left out at the end of the day would be cleaned by him. Since then, no one has left a single dish in the sink. 🙂

Well you know I would have been so mad if I came home and saw that. You should have made HIM do it but then you probably would have had to wait and I know it’s totally anxiety provoking to see that kind of disaster. Did he really think he was doing you a favor?? Shaking head in disbelief!!

My husband pulls this crap all the time and it sends me through the roof. My other new favorite: he leaves ten different pairs of shoes right in the middle of a room or in front of a door so that I trip over them and break my neck. Apparently he has no concern for his unborn child, at least when it comes to the hazards of tripping and falling. Men!

I will say this – I am glad it’s not just my hubby who come up with ‘explanations’ that just make me want to sock him 🙂 Ali is sure at his creative best with this one and you’re doing a REALLY GOOD JOB starving AND not socking him in the face 🙂

chow 🙂 DEVAKI @ weavethousandflavors

BTW, It’s not just Ali. On weekends I come home from teaching my culinary classes to find the sink and counter-top filthy and hubby & kids lounging in front of the idiot box 🙂 Yah – I get it.

Haha and once again, your husband shows that his thoughtfulness has no ends ;)! I usually break my fasts (I fast every Monday) around 7pm and that waiting period from 6.30 to 7 is probably my most productive…I will agree to do almost any chore just to keep me busy and avoid clock watching!

There is a certain point where it’s actually acceptable to toss things in the bin. I think this is the point where I would draw the line and do it. The amount of sanity it saves would vastly outweight the cost of replacement items.

Oh, what a lesson in moral superiority. Marriage often appears as another spiritual test of restraining from some kind of second degree crime. Now….at least there wasn’t FOOD left out for you to clean up.

I love the fact that you’ve posted a real photo on your blog. I often think about posting a “real” shot of what my kitchen (or house) looks like while I’m cooking. I also enjoyed your reading list — I’m going to pick one of your recommendations for my upcoming cottage vacation. Thanks for dropping by my site!